Global demand for air passenger transport fell 0.8% year-on-year in August 2026, while the air cargo segment posted growth of 4.4%.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), as reported by FinFly.News, the passenger load factor (PLF) was 85.1%, down 0.1 percentage point from the same period in 2025.
IATA data show that international passenger traffic decreased 0.9% compared with August 2025. Capacity remained unchanged, and the load factor was 85% (-0.8 pp). Domestic passenger traffic fell 0.5% year-on-year, capacity rose 0.7%, and the load factor reached 85.3% (-1.1 pp).
"Global air travel demand fell 0.8% compared with August 2025, as the recovery of Middle Eastern airlines stalled. Demand for flights by carriers in that region was 14.6% below last year's level, interrupting the positive momentum that had been building. Excluding Middle Eastern airlines, air travel demand in August rose 0.6% year-on-year — half the pace seen in July. With some notable exceptions, such as China's domestic market, opportunities to fly worldwide generally narrowed in August. As energy prices rose, passengers' purchasing power weakened. The coming months will show whether they have begun to revise their travel budgets and forgo trips amid persistent geopolitical instability. At the same time, airlines' plans for October offer cautious optimism: the number of seats offered is expected to increase by 2%," said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA's Senior Vice President for Sustainability and Chief Economist.
The regional breakdown of the global passenger air travel market in the reporting period was as follows: Africa accounted for 2.2%, Asia-Pacific 34.4%, Europe 26.7%, Latin America and the Caribbean 5.4%, the Middle East 9.5%, and North America 21.8%.
"In August, demand for air cargo rose 4.4% compared with last year. Growth was recorded in all regions, although capacity fell 0.1%. Strong demand and a higher load factor allowed airlines to partially offset exceptionally high fuel costs. Cargo yields rose month-on-month for the first time since April, and global merchandise trade continues to expand. Both indicators are encouraging ahead of the year-end peak season," Owens Thomsen noted.
The regional breakdown of air cargo in July 2026 was as follows: Africa 2.1%, Asia-Pacific 35.8%, Europe 21.4%, Latin America and the Caribbean 2.9%, the Middle East 13.2%, and North America 24.6%.
"On the Asia–North America route, annual growth was 13.2% (market share 23.5%); Europe–Asia saw growth of 3.1% (21.5%); Middle East–Europe fell 16.1% (5.2%); Middle East–Asia dropped 11% (7.4%); intra-Asia traffic rose 6.1% (7.3%); North America–Europe increased 4.3% (13.5%); and Africa–Asia contracted 11.9% (1.3%)," the report said.